Opening Remarks at ASEAN Investment Conference 2025

Speaker: Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi

Location: Kuala Lumpur
Delivered: 8 April 2025

Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia,

Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Bin Azizan, Minister of Finance II, Malaysia,

His Excellency Mr Chee Hong Tat, Minister of Finance II, Singapore,

Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

A very good morning.

Welcome to the ASEAN Investment Conference 2025. It is a privilege to stand before this assembly of leaders, gathered here with a unified vision to enhance ASEAN’s investment appeal and shape the region’s future.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, for gracing us with his presence and for his commitment to growing Malaysia’s and ASEAN’s global standing.
I would also like extend my appreciation to our delegates and speakers who have travelled from near and far to be part of this significant event. Special thanks go to our strategic partners, Affin Group, CGS International, and RHB, for their support in making this conference possible.
I would also like to take this moment to wish Eid Mubarak or Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri to those who are celebrating Eid.'
Today’s conference theme, Connecting Capital, Unlocking Opportunities, and Driving Sustainability, embodies ASEAN’s commitment to enhance efforts to attract capital and investment flows into the region for our greater prosperity.
This is aligned with the objectives of the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF), which the Securities Commission Malaysia is chairing this year. ACMF has played a pivotal role in advancing regional collaboration in terms of enabling greater market access, strengthening cross-border regulatory frameworks and investment opportunities, and promoting sustainable finance.
The region’s capital markets continue to evolve, offering liquidity, accessibility, and a wide range of investment choices.
To put things into perspective, the combined market capitalisation of ASEAN listed companies alone exceeds US$3 trillion¹. With more than 4,500 PLCs, this provides significant diversification opportunities for investors.

ASEAN - a compelling investment destination

Ladies and gentlemen,

Over the next two days, we hope to showcase the best of ASEAN and why it remains a compelling investment destination. Don’t just take it from me and my fellow regional policymakers. Hear it directly from the fund managers, financiers and companies invested in our economies. Some of them are here to share their insights and perspectives in the upcoming panel sessions.
So, what is ASEAN’s investment case? From a growth perspective, the region’s GDP growth has consistently been higher than the global average. In 2025, the ASEAN-5 economies² are projected to grow by 4.5%, outpacing the 1.8% increase forecasted for advanced economies³. It may drop a bit with current events but the GDP growth is still expected to be strongly positive.
This is complemented by strong demographic trends, rising consumption, and rapid urbanisation.
Later, we will hear insights on key trends and challenges impacting ASEAN, as well as regional investment strategies and economic forecasts. Factors including ageing population and a rising middle class are set to influence demand for products and services in sectors such as healthcare and life sciences, consumer and even the need for technology.
Additionally, there are emerging growth areas where ASEAN is poised to capture more capital flows. Take for instance, the green economy. In 2023, private sector green investments in Southeast Asia grew by 20% to US$6.3 billion, up from US$5.2 billion in the previous year⁴. So the potential of growth is there.
Another important area of focus for the region is inclusivity. On the sidelines of this conference, we will be launching the ASEAN Investment Challenge 2025. It is an initiative that comprises a trading challenge designed for ASEAN youth. The objective is to enhance their personal financial management skills and investment knowledge, including cross-border trading of ASEAN securities.
Governments in the region are also focused on the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) segment which has promising growth potential. Efforts include facilitating fundraising and access for SMEs, boosting their contribution to economic activities.
The ASEAN capital market regulators have also produced an ASEAN Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide Version 1, which was shared with the Prime Minister last night. This reflects our commitment to assist these smaller businesses and to ensure that ‘no one is left behind’.

Closing

Ladies and gentlemen,

In closing, the ASEAN story is evolving, and is currently being challenged by a shifting global economic environment, so is an opportune time for ASEAN to relook again as to what we can all do better together and how we can all continue to be prosperous.
So, with that, it is now my honour to invite the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to deliver his keynote address.

ENDS

Source: ASEAN Exchanges website
ASEAN-5 comprise of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand
International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates
Source: Southeast Asia’s Green Economy 2024 Report: Moving the needle, Bain & Company, GenZero, Standard Chartered, and Temasek